geekwitharun

Everything I Wish I’d Known When I Published My First Book

This is so accurate.

I’ll be hosting a panel on June 1st at Des Moines Con with this title. But I thought I’d sit down and share with you all some of the lessons I’ve learned and things I’m still working through as I develop as a writer, author, editor and understand the fiction business better.

First things first, I published my first story, Easy Jobs, on 13 December 2016. Since then, I’ve published three additional stories, contributed to four anthologies, and edited a military science fiction anthology (Tales of the E4 Mafia) with Henchman Press.

To say the least, I’ve learned a lot.

First, I have to sit my butt in a chair and put works in a document every day. Let me say that again: Work on new stories every day. I have a day job, a house, my wife, my daughter and her kids, and my fitness that all need my attention, but if I want to succeed as an author and writer, I have to create new stories every day.

Second, editors are your friend, even when they say things you don’t like. I’m an adult, and I know my writing isn’t perfect. But sometimes when Krystal, my editor, says somethings wrong, or a character doesn’t have a consistent voice, or I’ve got two characters who sound like the same person, it hurts a bit. What I remind myself of is that Krystal is helping me make the story the best it can be. That’s what we want, as writers. To provide our readers with the best story we can at the point we publish it.

Third, productivity is good, and publishing more is good. I’ve got a series of short stories and novellas on my storage that hasn’t been published anywhere. Some of it helps develop Burn and Bad Karma. Other parts develop the world Burn and Bad Karma live and operate in. One story was a response to a challenge from a romance writer to write a romance story.

Yes, I wrote a romance story. Two people, other than me, have seen Date Night.

What I’m going to do is combine those short stories into anthologies so I can get them in front of people who already like my stories. Because they deserve more stories they like, and I want to write more.

Fourth, marketing my stories is a critical piece of all this. If I can get my stories in front of people who want to read stories like mine, we all win. If the stories are good enough, those readers do two things. First, they become fans, and second, they share my stories with their friends. More people get to read more stories they like, I get to write more stories. Last, those fans might become friends of mine. And who doesn’t need more friends?

Alright, I hope that helps clarify where I’m at, what I’ve learned, and what I’m trying to do as I get better at writing, being an author and learning the fiction business.

Leave a comment about what questions you have for me, and what you want to see more of from me!

Updates and Upcoming Events

Life, family and writing have all gotten busy lately. I’ll update you as best I can!

The signing event at Pella Books during Tulip Time was successful. I sold a couple of books, met some really great local authors, and ate too much ‘fair food’ while I was up town. This annual event is always enjoyable, and it’s a great chance for me to get to know more local creatives, and meet people in the local community.

I finally got a box of author copies of Moving Target with the new cover by Tiffanie Gray. Unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to unbox the new books yet due to other issues going on.

We received sad news that The Curiosity Shop is closing at the end of the month. They’ve been great to work with, and their shop will be missed by many of us!

I’ve gotten started on story selection for Tales of the E4 Mafia 2 and Butter Bars! Large and (Not So) In Charge, but it’s been slow going between work and other issues.

Unfortunately, a family member has had a significant health issue, so the last few days have involved a lot of time in a hospital and tracking what’s going on.

Last, I have dates for my panels at Des Moines Con!

May 31st, 11 AM in Rooms 313-314 : Fitness for Time Crunched Creatives, where I’ll give tips and advise for writers, creators, fans and anyone else who’s overworked and still trying to improve their health and fitness!

June 1st, 3:45 PM in Room 315-316: Everything I Wish I’d Known When I Started Writing – this is a panel for people getting started on their writing journey, looking for ways to progress, what marketing is, why editing your work is far more important than you think, and why you should not take Mom’s word that your story is brilliant, among many other lessons I’ve learned (far too often the hard way!). I’m even developing a presentation for this one!

So, there you have it and thanks for reading this far! I hope you’re all doing well. Reach out or comment if you’re having a busy time, and how you handle it when things feel like they’re all happening at once!

Moving Target Has a New Cover!

Tiffanie Gray makes a great cover!

So, I’ve been planning to re-do the covers on my current works for a while. And, as a quirk of the universe, I met the wonderful Tiffanie Gray through a comment thread in a social media group. Tiffanie and I discussed what I needed for an appropriate new cover for Moving Target, including genre considerations, plot line, and what would interest you, my readers.

It took a few iterations, but we came to a solid cover that I really like. Hopefully you like it, as well!

If you’re interested in Tiffanie’s work, check her website:

https://www.artstation.com/dak-imarts/albums/2998901

Please check out Moving Target!

Next week, I’ll talk about what I learned during my book signings at Pella Books during Tulip Time!

Upcoming Events

So, I’ve got a few upcoming events:

First I’ll be signing books at Pella Books from 4 – 6 PM CST on the 1st – 3rd of May during Tulip Time in Pella, Iowa. If you want to meet up, come see me there. I’ll probably be around for some other time slots, so I’ll keep you posted! Also, if you like gardening, tulips, Dutch foods and events, or Pella, Iowa in general, come out and check the place out!

Next I’ll be presenting a couple of panels at Des Moines Con. As soon as the event schedule is posted, I’ll provide dates and times, but I’m presenting “All The Things I Wish I’d Known When I Started Writing” and “Fitness for Creatives”. More information when I have dates, times, and data. Des Moines Con is a great event, so check it out!

A Snippet from “Corporals”

Here’s a snippet from ‘Corporals’, my current work in progress:

‘You good, babe?’
Karma shifted her sub machine gun to her shoulder. The white karat in her vision field swept along with the weapon’s point of aim as she moved down the corridor. Sounds reached her from an open office door on her left.
‘You know what they did to me.’
Shifting to the door, Karma breathed and listened. Three men talking, voices low. She moved through the door. The job was to rescue the kids and grab anyone they could for the cops and Rangers to get intel out of. That meant Burn should have been on the move, not her.
But Burn wouldn’t put paid to these bastards.
‘This is a job. Stay focused.’
Stepping in the room, the three men turned to her, their conversation stopping. Her sub machine gun coughed three rounds. Three men collapsed back in their chairs, neat holes in their heads. Karma considered her options. Working solo, she didn’t have time to check for any data or documents. Finding the other kids was her priority.
Turning, she moved out of the room and back down the hall.
‘I’m focused.’

I’m looking forward to this whole story getting out to the world.

Add a Little Adventure to Your Life

Getting out to Roberts Creek for a little fishing and fun in my new kayak.

So, I bought a kayak, and went on a little adventure. Not that I haven’t had a few adventures in my life, between serving in the Army, getting into trail running and ultra marathons, and even doing a couple of Ironman Triathlons.

There are a few reasons I keep seeking out adventure and ways to both test and enjoy myself.

One, it helps keep me in shape, healthy and happy.

Two, I get to mentally recharge for all the day job, family and real world stresses that impact my life. We all have those things, and we all need to get away to refresh.

Three, it does help my writing. My characters do crazy, dangerous things. While I can’t recommend hiring out as mercenary to do a crazy low jump and then kidnap a general, or break into an apartment to steal some high tech item and then rappel down the building to escape (both events I’ve writing in stories), getting out for some kayaking, hiking, camping, fishing or long bike rides all give me a place to test myself to adapt to conditions and to see how my characters would respond to challenges.

Fourth, it’s fun.

So get out in the world and do something adventurous. Then come back and tell your story!

What’s Going On?

Working on edits, rough drafts, and story selection while on a day job work trip.

Well, as I said last week, I’ve got stories in for two anthologies. And I had a work trip to Virginia Beach last week. Yeah, I know, of all the places I could have to go, there are many worse places. I’m familiar with quite a few of those worse places.

So, I’m working on what will be the 6th novel in the Burn and Bad Karma Series. The 5th is currently in edits, but to give you an idea, Bad Karma goes to Chicago with no adult supervision. In the 6th book, we’ll see how she handles things getting home when Burn’s in a bit of trouble. The next story involves them stealing a yacht back from some criminal.

Thus far on the anthologies, I’ve selected two stories for Tales of the E4 Mafia 2. Hopefully, I’ll get through the rest that I’ve received this and next week.

Terri’s birthday’s coming up, so we’ll take a weekend out to enjoy a new area we’ve been meaning to check out. From what the hotel says, there’s beer and whiskey, so we’ll be fine!

I hope you’re all doing well! Let me know how you’re doing!

Butterbars and Tales of the E4 Mafia 2 story selection starting this week!

Well, with the deadline for the anthologies I’m working on with Henchman Press being tomorrow, I’ll be starting in on story selection and sending out editorial notes for the stories I have. And I do have quite a few stories to work through.

On the up side, I’ll be on a work trip this week, so I’m on my own in the evenings. I should be able to get some significant progress on the story selection piece. On the down side, we don’t know how much work we’ll have to do on the day job. Hopefully, things will go well and the project will run smoothly.

So if you’ve submitted, you can expect to hear something soon. If you’re behind schedule, email me at keith@keithhedger.com and let me know what’s going on.

Wish me luck on getting these stories read. One of the coolest parts of this process is getting to see all these stories first, before anyone else does!

Hopefully, I’ll be able to post some great updates over the next few weeks!

Time with Family and the Grandkids

I’ve spent a lot of time with my grandkids this week, so not much writing got done. And, yes, it was worth it. That’s time I’m happy to share with them, and those are memories they’ll carry on, hopefully to learn to spend time with their grandkids.

From a work perspective, I don’t have any major deadlines, and I work my schedule to the greatest degree possible so that I can spend time with my family. Writing takes a lot of time, whether it’s creating a new story, editing, working with Henchman on a project, or doing the business and marketing pieces of it. But if you want to be in this for the long term, you do need to balance in time with family, fitness, your significant other, and relaxing so you’re not burning out.

And, honestly, my grandkids are fun to hang out with 🙂

Surprises when I’m Writing

One of the things that’s always fun for me is when things come together in stories based on a comment or piece of information that occurs when I’m writing.

I have nine long novels for the Burn and Bad Karma series sketched out. And, while I’m definitely a discovery writer, I generally know the outcomes for certain characters, major events that will happen, and plot items that need to occur.

As I’m writing the fifth of those novels, I’ve had a couple of things come up that are literally changing what I had in mind. In one case, a character will experience a development arc where they shift their loyalty. Another is that a major bad character will not be killed by the character I had originally planned to kill them (and the antagonist in question will survive at least one additional novel).

So, if you decide to take up writing, expect things like this to happen. Some times your characters will do things you didn’t expect. Some times whole plot lines will change.

But it’s so worth it to tell those stories!